From: eric
Date: Fri Mar 12 10:56:33 MST 2004
Subject: Week Two:  Notes

Week Two (February 28): History The history and geography of the ancient near-east had a significant impact on the events of the O.T. We must look at them to develop a framework for our own understanding. This tiny land was the focal point of God’s redemptive act, which is an unlikely scenario from our human perspective. It’s remarkable that Israel survived with its identity intact. Palestine was a central location in the ancient near-east. Many trade routes ran through this city. It was in an expanse of flat land which experienced many unpredictable and devastating floods. 4000 BC city-states began to emerge around the region (Ur, Nipur, Lagash, etc.), using irrigation canals and developing larger cities. To the south, Babylonia would arise as a more developed city. To the north, Assyria would arise in the harsh mountain area, made up of a savage, warrior people. The Assyrians would later conquer the Northern kingdom of Israel and spread to conquer much of Egypt, becoming one of the first mega-empires. Egypt: to the west, located along the Nile. The Nile flowed north through the branching delta into the Mediterranean Sea and was difficult to navigate, but still used in some capacity as a trade route. Flooding was very predictable here and could be used for controlled irrigation and farming. This created a very stable society which was also culturally isolated and therefore arrogant. Because of its consistency, Egypt was the breadbasket of the ancient world, and people would go there for food when drought persisted in other locations. Syria (capital: Damascus) and Palestine were in the middle of these 3 powers and functioned as a buffer zone between Assyria and Babylon. This made them a trading center and a war zone. Israel is tiny, like Vermont. About 50 miles wide, running from the coast to the Dead Sea. This accents the theological point that God chose the small and weak to accomplish His great purposes. Israel existed in two areas: The Coastal Plane -Flat, nurtured a wide variety of produce. -Contained Mt. Carmel to the north and the Planes of Acher, Scheron, Philistia to the south. -Important road Via Maris (Way of the Sea) led to Damascus. The city of Megiddo was on this road and controlled its trade route. The Central Hill Country -Further from the Mediterranean. -Chief center of Israel’s population long ago. -Heavily wooded. Easy to capture and hold using guerilla-style war tactics. -Contained Galilee (north), Samaria (central), and Judea (south). -Provided for limited crops which included grains, olives, etc. – these figure into metaphors and references in both the O.T. and N.T. Sheep breeding also prominent for sustenance. Although the Jordan River covers 70 miles from end (Sea of Galilee to the north) to end (Dead Sea to the south), it actually weaves about to measure 200 miles. As the lowest water source in the world, it could not be used for irrigation. Thus, there was little agriculture in the region, except for Jericho which had its own spring. The Transjordan Plateau, however, around the river, was fertile and useful for grazing. It was divided by 4 smaller rivers which emptied into the Jordan. Thus, we see the division between tribes along the way in the O.T. as being very closely related to geographical divisions. Centralization of this tribal people would not be feasible until David conquered Jerusalem and money provided for development. Where does the history of Israel begin? -The Exodus is the first time the Bible presents them as an aggregate group. They are established as a people at Mt. Sinai. -External attestation is first found on the Mernepta Stele, inscribed in the 13th century, where the Egyptian Pharaoh Mernepta mentions Israel as a people he has conquered, a state (tribal, perhaps) in Palestine. There’s no telling if he actually did conquer them, since the literary genre of the time was prone to exaggeration. Still, the external recognition reveals their existence as a people at this time. Working backwards from there, it’s hard to determine the chronology. The Conquest of Canaan -Biblical books of importance re: the history are Joshua and Judges. Joshua 1-11 presents the move into the promised land as smooth and peaceful. Joshua 13-21, however, suggests that allotment of the land happened before the conquest. Josh. 11:21 suggests that all Israel conquered a certain part of the land. Josh. 14:6 and 15:13 show Caleb himself taking it. How do we understand these differences? Again, ancient conquest accounts across from various cultures speak in broad, global terms as a literary style. -So which is true? +Long process +Sudden conquest +No conquest: disenchanted foreigners attached themselves to the nation. All 3 are true. It was a complex development over time. Statehood People allying around a central shrine was common at the time (Greece, Mesopotamia). The Israelites had this, but they wanted a more formal statehood. The book of 1 Samuel considers the tension in this demand for a monarchy. -1 Samuel 7-12 Saul becomes king. Crazy rule. -Then Davis becomes king. Governs according to the Spirit. Consolidates Israel’s position in Palestine. No longer tribal; now a major power. -Solomon continues in this direction. Claims sovereignty into Assyria/Euphrates. We don’t know how much of this is factual and how much of it is literary. Another biblical reference indicates a smaller region from Dan to Beersheeba. The Split Kingdom 9th century B.C., post-Solomon, Israel splits into two entities: Israel (North) and Judah (South). Both states experience independence and development when Egypt and Assyria are dormant for whatever reason. Turmoil ensues, however, when these empires go to war. Domination by Other Empires Assyria Many external references to the two states (Israel and Judah) are in Assyrian and other literature. -Ashura Napura Pow II and Shalmanezer (early Assyrian kings) list king Ahab as having a large army. Jehu and Joash are recognized in the literature as well. -8th c. Israel recovers (II Kings 12-14) King Jeroboam II during Assyrian lull. -722 B.C. Complete conquest of Northern Kingdom by Sargon II or Shalmanezer IV. Israel is incorporated into Assyrian rule, while Judah remains independent another 100 years. -References to King Ahaz in Assyrian literature. Also to King Hezekiah which match the account in II Kings 18-19 (Assyrian King Senacharib) and to Manasseh (II Kings 21). This was the high point for Assyria, when Memphis of Egypt was taken. Assyria, however, faced a sudden end in 644. In 612 the capitol fell to Babylonia. Babylonia Babylon conquers Judea, beginning the exile. Persia The Babylonian empire falls, allowing the Jews to return to Palestine and rebuild. -539 B.C. King Cyrus of Persia marches on Babylon and wins without a fight. -538 Persia is the largest empire to date. Stretching from Persia to the Aegian Sea. Persia had a policy of allowing some cultural identity/sovereignty of conquested nations. Cyrus sends people back to Palestine. Greece The Persian Empire falls to Greece by trying to conquer them. Battle of Marathon, etc. Alexander the Great 331 B.C. crosses the Indus into India, returns 323 & dies in Babylon, sick. Generals quarrel and the empire breaks up: Ptolomey in Egypt (W), Salusus in Babylonia (E). Again, Palestine is the battleground in the middle. Rome Antiochus IV commits sacrilege in the temple, provoking the Macabean revolt (Daniel 8-12). Antiochus IV becomes known as the anti-messiah. Takes Palestine and Egypt. Then we’re into the New Testament.

Edit this response
Write a response Email the author

From: Suki
Date: Mon Mar 29 16:57:14 MST 2004
Subject: Class 3 Notes

From: Suki
Date: Sat Apr 10 15:45:11 MST 2004
Subject: Week 4 Notes - April 10